Union City water employee pleads guilty to theft

UNION CITY, Ga. -- A former employee of the Union City Water Department has pleaded guilty in Fulton County Superior Court to stealing customers' money.

Johnetta Robinson, 42, was convicted Wednesday of one count of theft by taking. She was sentenced to five years on probation and was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution.

Robinson worked for six years as a lead account technician for the water department. She accepted cash payments from new customers when they created accounts.

Between February 2009 and March 2010, Robinson reportedly pocketed customers' money without entering the transactions into the computer system. The thefts were discovered during a mini-audit. Robinson was fired after admitting to taking the money.

Union City Mayor Vince Williams was present when Robinson made her plea.

"It is our hope that the defendant has learned from this case," Williams said in a statement. "The city considers her decision to take responsibility for her actions as a positive step towards righting the wrong caused to taxpayers."